The Seahawks do actually want Peyton Manning

Word is that Manning, a four-time MVP, won’t take too long to sign with a new team; he doesn’t want to needlessly draw out the process. The Seahawks are a possibility, but Manning has other options such as Miami, Arizona and Washington.

The newest speculation is that Manning would prefer a team in the AFC, so he isn’t a barrier for his brother going to the Super Bowl. Eli Manning just won the Super Bowl with the NFC’s New York Giants. But Peyton Manning would be open to the NFC, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Seahawks are in the NFC West.

Nevertheless, Seattle is pursing the future hall-of-famer along with everyone else, The Seattle Times reports. Other media have reported the same: that coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks would be willing to change their offensive scheme to better fit Manning’s proven successful style.

“The Seahawks should pursue Manning aggressively,” the Times’ Jerry Brewer wrote Wednesday. “Of course, they’ll have to scrutinize his neck, but if their medical staff confirms that he’s healthy enough to play, it’s a no-brainer to make a push to sign the best pure quarterback of this era.

“There’s no need to overthink it. It’s this simple: The Seahawks don’t have a quarterback good enough to make them true title contenders, and Manning, even if he returns at 80 percent of his greatness, makes almost any team an instant contender.”